Fugitive hooked up in Hawaii

SANDPOINT — A Sagle man who went on the lam while awaiting trial on lewd conduct charges was arrested in Hawaii, the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office announced on Tuesday.

Stephen Robert Reiling disappeared in 2012, shortly before he was to stand trial in 1st District Court. Reiling appeared in court for a pretrial conference, but was a no-show at his trial.

Reiling is accused of molesting a girl in 2003, when she was about 8 years old. Reiling pleaded not guilty to the charge and was free on $50,000 bond while the case was pending.

A $250,000 arrest warrant was issued when he failed to present himself for trial. He effectively abandoned his own child and the child’s mother in his attempted escape of the Idaho charges.

At the time of his disappearance, a friend said Reiling has a distrust of government and organized religion. He has also been vocal about those beliefs.

“He was concerned that they’re out to get him and he could not get a fair trial,” said the friend, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Reiling was described in court documents as well educated, read and traveled. Reiling reportedly knows how to live off the grid and his U.S. Air Force background has imparted survivalist training.

Details about his apprehension in Hawaii were sparse, although a published news story indicated that Reiling was arrested on charges of domestic abuse and fourth-degree sexual assault.

The Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported that the arrest occurred at Prince Kuhio Plaza in Hilo. The Hawaii news report was published on Sunday, although it does not indicate when Reiling was actually apprehended.

Authorities in Hawaii listed his age as 47, although court records in Idaho listed his age as 54 when he disappeared in 2012.

Reiling was allegedly using the alias Ken Starr while in Hawaii.

Reiling is being held in Hawaii pending extradition proceedings.